Waking up sweaty is guaranteed to get your day off to a bad start. The best cooling pillows could put an end to sweltering nights where you’re constantly flipping the pillow to try, in vain, to feel a little less hot.
Cooling pillows are purposely designed for anyone who overheats during the night, whether they suffer from menopausal sweats, have an overactive thyroid or are just naturally warmer. They’re also handy for anyone to use during the warmer summer months to keep cool and sleep well.
Clever technology includes cool-to-touch fabric, filling that regulates body temperature and material that draws heat away from the body and encourages airflow. If you want an easier option, it’s even possible to add a cooling cover to the pillow you already that can be used during summer and stored away easily for the rest of the year.
All will help you get a sweat-free sleep, however stuffy it gets. After weeks of testing in a summer heatwave, these are the best cooling pillows that I rate.
Read more: Best cooling mattress toppers, reviewed
The best cooling pillows for 2026 are:
- Best overall – Dreams therapur memory foam ice pillow: £80, Dreams.co.uk
- Best budget buy – Silentnight wellbeing cool touch pillow: £29, Silentnight.co.uk
- Best for side sleepers – Belledorm cooling pillow: £30, Belledorm.co.uk
- Best for neck problems – Bensons iGel contour pillow: £139.99, Bensonsforbeds.co.uk
- Best for natural materials – Woolroom deluxe washable wool pillow: £99.99, Thewoolroom.com
Read more: Best summer duvets, reviewed
Dreams therapur memory foam ice pillow
Best: cooling pillow overall
Why we love it
- Instantly cooling
- Excellent for side sleepers
- Supportive
Take note
- Could be too firm for some
- Needs a thin pillowcase
If you want to cool down fast the moment you get into bed, the Dreams TheraPur memory foam ice is the best cooling pillow I’ve tested. It immediately feels cooling, though be aware that it’s best paired with a very thin pillowcase to get the full effect. It helped to regulate the temperature through the night, which meant I slept undisturbed and woke up feeling more rested than normal.
Inside the pillow, the memory foam has an open cell structure for improved breathability and it’s exceptionally supportive, contouring to the head and neck for a super comfortable sleep. It may be a little too firm for some but I found it offered excellent support when sleeping on my side, without being too solid.
The Dreams therapur pillow would be a great investment for hot summer nights when you want to feel refreshed the moment your head hits the pillow.
Key specifications
Buy now £80, Dreams.co.uk
Silentnight wellbeing cool touch pillow
Best: budget cooling pillow
Why we love it
- Gel pad is pressure activated, so pillow doesn't need flipping
- Gel pad is effective at cooling
Take note
- Takes a little getting used to
- Benefits from airing before use
I wasn’t quite sure if I’d manage to sleep with the Silentnight wellbeing cool touch pillow when I first saw it. It has a knobbly gel pad on the outside and I thought it would really bother me in the night in ‘Princess and the Pea’ fashion. Though it did feel a little unusual at first, I soon got used to it and it wasn’t at all as annoying as I feared.
The gel pad itself is pretty nifty. It’s pressure activated so you don’t need to flip the pillow in the night and it really does have a cooling effect. I slept deeply using this and didn’t feel at all over-heated. However, it was on the soft side for me and I would prefer a firmer pillow when sleeping on my side, although anyone who sleeps on their back should have no complaints.
I was more put off by the smell that lingered when I first started using this pillow – this dissipated with a thorough airing, but is worth bearing in mind. The Simba aerodown pillow is a smell-free alternative if you want to start using your new pillow immediately.
Key specifications
Buy now £29, Silentnight.co.uk
Woolroom deluxe washable wool pillow
Best: cooling pillow for natural materials
Why we love it
- All natural materials
- Good temperature regulation
Take note
- Needs regular plumping
- Might be too soft for some
There are no gimmicks required to help this Woolroom pillow regulate temperature. Instead, it’s filled with loose traceable British wool that naturally controls temperature and comes with an astonishingly comfortable quilted organic cotton cover.
I loved knowing that there were only natural materials in my pillow and I would definitely be inclined to choose them for my children’s bedrooms for the same reason.
While there are no fancy gels or foams keeping this pillow cool, it helped me maintain a comfortable temperature all night, as wool naturally both draws moisture away and insulates when it’s cold. My only gripe is that the pillow was a touch too soft for me – that can be adjusted by buying an extra bag of wool at the point of purchase but that would mean an extra £30.
If a firm pillow appeals, the Opera premium cool gel pillow might be a better choice. But this one ticks plenty of nice-to-have boxes, including being naturally hypoallergenic and dust mite resistant.
Key specifications
Buy now £99.99, Thewoolroom.com
Silentnight restore cooling copper pillow
Best: cooling pillow for an immediate relief
Why we love it
- Gives instant cooling relief
Take note
- May be too soft for some
- Cooling effect doesn’t last all night
Anyone who struggles to get to sleep when they’re feeling too hot will love the Silentnight restore cooling copper pillow. The polyester cover is infused with copper, which has a unique cool-to-touch sensation and is immediately noticeable the minute you put your head on it at night. I definitely felt I nodded off quicker using this when it was particularly hot, saving lots of tossing and turning.
Silentnight claims copper can also help prevent breakouts, reduce wrinkles and boost collagen production, but as I used the pillow with a case, I’m not quite convinced I should throw out my moisturiser just yet.
It certainly did help keep me cool when I first got into bed though. The effects seemed to fade during the night and when I woke, I tended to still flip the pillow to get the same fresh-feel from the other side. Woolroom’s deluxe washable wool pillow might be a better choice if you’re hoping for more advanced all-night temperature regulation. But if you just need a little help getting to sleep in the first place, this should get you chilled out in no time.
Key specifications
Buy now £35, Silentnight.co.uk
Tempur cloud smartcool pillow, medium
Best: luxury cooling pillow
Why we love it
- Cool to the touch
- Draws heat from the body
- Relieves pressure
Take note
- Expensive
- Could be too soft for some
Tempur is renowned for its space-age materials and high-tech innovations and this pillow is no different. It’s filled with the brand’s Adapt material, which is said to relieve pressure and conform to fit the user. At first, I found it far too floppy for my taste and was convinced I would find it too soft to use every night. However after a couple of nights’ use, I really started feeling the difference and seemed to sink into it without finding the pillow as flat as a pancake.
I could also move around easily and remain comfortable in every position, although the pillow may still be on the soft side for some people.
The woven cover feels cool to the touch, which makes it particularly pleasant to use on hot nights. It continues to draw heat away from the body as you sleep, so I felt I stayed at a pleasant temperature all night and didn’t get disturbed, even when it was hot outside.
It is a pricey purchase though, so the Dreams therapur memory foam ice pillow is a good alternative if you’re watching the budget.
Key specifications
Buy now £165, Tempur.com
Simba aerodown pillow
Best: cooling pillow for a sink-in feel
Why we love it
- Great support
- Cooling on one side
Take note
- Bulky if needed to be stored
I couldn’t wait to get to bed when I was testing Simba’s aerodown pillow. Its squishy springiness feels like down but is actually made by combing recycled plastic bottle fibres into layers that encourage airflow. I thought it’d be too soft for me as I prefer to sleep on my side, but it was actually surprisingly supportive and still felt really cosy.
One side of the cover features thermoregulating material, which Simba claims should prevent overheating and is up to 3C cooler than non-treated fabric. Strangely it didn’t feel a great deal cooler to me when I placed my hand on it, but it did feel better under my head and I didn’t overheat at all, even on particularly warm nights.
Of course that means if you flip it over in the night, you won’t feel the cooling effect on the other side, but this does make it a good year-round pillow with extra sink-in appeal your head will thank you for.
Key specifications
Buy now £60, Simbasleep.com
Emma comfort cooling pillow
Best: supportive cooling pillow
Why we love it
- Supportive
- Regulates temperature well
Take note
- No cotton on outside
Emma’s comfort cooling pillow looked especially inviting from the off. The padded outer layer has a soft cloud-like feel that makes an unscheduled afternoon nap suddenly seem very tempting.
Though it’s not made of cotton which I would normally prefer, the cover has a silky soft touch, offers good breathability and uses Outlast technology that is supposed to both absorb and release heat. Though the pillow wasn’t as immediately cool to the touch as some of the others I tested, it worked fantastically well to keep me at a consistent temperature and I slept a treat using it.
It’s fairly firm and especially supportive if you sleep on your side, but you can remove some of the thinner microfibre layers inside to adjust the pillow’s height and firmness if preferred.
Key specifications
Buy now £80, Emma-sleep.co.uk
Belledorm cooling pillow
Best: cooling pillow for side sleepers
Why we love it
- Supportive for side sleepers
- Quilted side is effective at cooling
Take note
- Can’t be machine washed
- Might be too firm for some
The perfect pillow needs to do more than cool, even if you do overheat at night. If you sleep on your side or have a larger frame, it’s essential to choose one with plenty of support. This one is described as extra-firm, so does the job nicely. As a side sleeper, I was really impressed by the way it kept my head and neck aligned yet it still didn’t feel like I was sleeping on a block of marble.
One side of the pillow has a quilted cool-touch cover that Belledorm says is lab tested to feel up to three times cooler than cotton. In testing, it felt very pleasant on a hot evening and I was surprised just how effective it was at keeping me cool.
The feeling wore off a little overnight and there’s only one side with the cooler material, so flipping the pillow didn’t have the same effect. However, I also appreciated the fact that I would be able to use the other side during colder weather when I didn’t feel hot. If you want both sides to feel as chilly as possible, I’d opt for the Dreams therapur memory foam ice pillow.
Key specifications
Buy now £30, Belledorm.co.uk
Opera premium cool gel pillow
Best: memory foam cooling pillow
Why we love it
- Supportive
- Stays in shape well
- Gel pad helps to regulate body temperature
Take note
- May be too dense for some
Opera’s premium cool gel is one hefty pillow. Easily the heaviest cooling pillow I tested, it’s definitely not the best choice if your kids fancy a pillow fight.
Covered in a ventilated cool weave cover, it doesn’t feel particularly cool to the touch but it has a gel pad inside that is designed to regulate body temperature through the night. I definitely felt the difference using it during one particularly sweltering week, when I didn’t seem as overheated by the morning and slept soundly through the night.
The memory foam also moulds to the shape of your head and neck, so the pillow is a lot more comfortable than it first appears, although still remains fairly firm and holds its shape well. The good news is that means you can forget about pillow plumping each morning.
Key specifications
Buy now £90, Operabeds.com
Bensons for Beds iGel contour pillow
Best: cooling pillow for neck problems
Why we love it
- Good temperature control
Take note
- Expensive
- Takes a little getting used to
Bensons for Beds’s iGel contour pillow was unlike any of the other ones I tested. It’s contoured with a shallow edge for front and back sleepers and a deep edge for side sleepers, which takes a little getting used to. I’d say it’s the best cooling pillow for shoulder or neck problems, where you need extra support.
I had a stiff neck from computer work one night when I was using it and it felt much better by morning. That said, I generally prefer a flatter pillow without contours like the Emma comfort cooling pillow, so this would come down to personal preference.
The pillow is particularly good at helping maintain temperature through the night. It doesn’t feel particularly cool to touch but the material is designed to both draw heat away and release it back if it gets too cold. This makes it a good year-round option, as it should keep you cosy in winter too.
Plus, the Tencel knit cover wicks away sweat to keep you fresh all night and it’s hypoallergenic, so a good choice for anyone who wakes up with the sniffles.
Key specifications
Buy now £139.99, Bensonsforbeds.co.uk
The Fine Bedding Company cooling smart temperature cotton pillow protector pair
Best: cooling pillow protectors
Why we love it
- Ideal if you don’t want to change pillows
- Easily stored if not in use
Take note
- Only fits standard pillows
Replacing pillows isn’t always the best option, especially if they were bought recently or are just supremely comfortable. However, if you want to boost their cooling power – particularly for a few short months a year – adding cool-touch pillowcases is a no-brainer.
This pair from The Fine Bedding Company are a great bedroom addition. They’re made of a thick cotton, which feels luxurious, and they make pillows feel immediately. cool to touch. But it gets even better – the increased cooling effect is further activated when the body’s temperature increases, allowing moisture to evaporate before easing back when the body’s temperature returns to normal.
I was amazed just how well they worked and loved the fact that I could wash and dry them easily, or store them away over winter if required. These are a fantastic, no-hassle buy that really make a difference in warm weather.
Key specifications
Buy now £32, Finebedding.co.uk
Your questions on cooling pillows answered
What is the best cooling pillow?
The Dreams TheraPur memory foam ice pillow is the best cooling pillow I tested because of its cool-touch cover, supportive memory foam and mid-range price. However if you’re happy with a softer pillow, the Tempur cloud smartcool pillow in medium is a luxury buy that’ll make you feel cool and supported while you sleep. I also really rate The Fine Bedding Company’s cooling smart temperature cotton pillow protector, which has an immediately cooling effect on any pillow, is a great budget buy and a doddle to keep clean.
How I tested cooling pillows
I tested all these pillows in the height of summer, including in some of the hottest temperatures the country has ever seen. I used each pillow for several nights and asked family members who routinely feel hot at night to use each one and give their feedback too. For each pillow, I considered the following criteria:
What to look for in a cooling pillow
There are many factors to consider when shopping for a cooling pillow, and these depend on personal preference. When it comes to materials, natural fillings such as silk, wool and down are temperature-regulating. Meanwhile, pillows with cooling technology (such as gel pads and mesh to promote airflow) offer refreshing and breathable benefits, too. Finally, selecting pillow firmness varies according to whether you’re a back, side or front sleeper. Many cooling pillows are machine washable for cleaning practicality, so it’s worth checking this, too.
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
The Independent’s dedicated shopping section, IndyBest, is committed to providing unbiased reviews and expert advice. Our team of editors and writers have years of experience in testing products and trialling them within their own homes. Siobhan Grogan is a lifestyle writer who has reviewing products for IndyBest since 2021. She has tested a wide range of sleep essentials in her home, from the best mattress protectors to pillows from popular brands such as Emma and Panda, so she knows the importance of a good night’s kip.
The wider IndyBest team also provides in-depth insight on other products vital for a good night of sleep, from mattresses to mattress toppers, and the best duvets for all seasons.
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